County sees boost in tourism dollars

Henderson gets 4.3 percent increase; numbers up in NC

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 10:59 p.m.

Visitor spending in Henderson County last year increased to $218 million — a 4.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to economic impact data provided by the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

The report said all 100 counties saw a bump in tourists' expenditures in 2012.

Travel in Henderson County ranked 17th in the state, and more than 1,960 jobs and $37.8 million in payroll were attributed to travel and tourism.

The big draws for visitors were the Blue Ridge Parkway, Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock Playhouse, apple orchards and outdoor recreational activities, according to the study.

Each county resident saved $176.92 in taxes as a result of state and local tax revenues amounting to $19.1 million.

"We are very excited," said Beth Carden, executive director for the Henderson County Travel Development Authority. "We've been expanding our market strategy to reach out to a variety of visitors."

The TDA seeks more tourists who have a broad range of interests.

"We offer a lot of cultural events and have some of the top camps," Carden said, citing a couple examples. "We want to enhance the visitor's experience. We want to give them reasons to stay as long as possible, and that makes a huge economic impact on the county."

She said there was a dip in visitor spending in 2009 and 2010, but that was reflected across the state as the nation battled the economic downturn.

Now the economy is bouncing back and the tourism industry is being positively impacted.

Domestic travelers in North Carolina spent a record $19.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 5 percent from 2011. Visitor expenditures directly generated 193,610 jobs and more than $4.3 billion in payroll income within North Carolina in 2012.

Buncombe County ranked the highest in the western region, reaching No. 5 in travel impact and bringing in $834 million in expenditures — a 6.5 percent increase from 2011.

<p>Visitor spending in Henderson County last year increased to $218 million — a 4.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to economic impact data provided by the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. </p><p>The report said all 100 counties saw a bump in tourists' expenditures in 2012. </p><p>Travel in Henderson County ranked 17th in the state, and more than 1,960 jobs and $37.8 million in payroll were attributed to travel and tourism.</p><p>The big draws for visitors were the Blue Ridge Parkway, Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock Playhouse, apple orchards and outdoor recreational activities, according to the study.</p><p>Each county resident saved $176.92 in taxes as a result of state and local tax revenues amounting to $19.1 million.</p><p>"We are very excited," said Beth Carden, executive director for the Henderson County Travel Development Authority. "We've been expanding our market strategy to reach out to a variety of visitors." </p><p>The TDA seeks more tourists who have a broad range of interests.</p><p>"We offer a lot of cultural events and have some of the top camps," Carden said, citing a couple examples. "We want to enhance the visitor's experience. We want to give them reasons to stay as long as possible, and that makes a huge economic impact on the county."</p><p>She said there was a dip in visitor spending in 2009 and 2010, but that was reflected across the state as the nation battled the economic downturn.</p><p>Now the economy is bouncing back and the tourism industry is being positively impacted.</p><p>Domestic travelers in North Carolina spent a record $19.4 billion in 2012, an increase of 5 percent from 2011. Visitor expenditures directly generated 193,610 jobs and more than $4.3 billion in payroll income within North Carolina in 2012.</p><p>Buncombe County ranked the highest in the western region, reaching No. 5 in travel impact and bringing in $834 million in expenditures — a 6.5 percent increase from 2011.</p><p>The main attractions were the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Botanical Gardens, French Broad River, North Carolina Arboretum, N.C. Homespun Museum, Asheville's Farmer's Market, Vance Birthplace, Folk Art Center, Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center, Western N.C. Nature Center, Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, Smith-McDowell House Museum and the Grove Park Inn.</p><p>Mecklenburg ranked No. 1, receiving $19.4 million in expenditures — a 7 percent increase from 2011.</p><p>Transylvania County pulled in $80.9 million dollars from tourist activity, a 4.6 percent increase, making the land of waterfalls 42nd in the state, according to the travel impact study.</p><p>Popular attractions included Brevard Music Center, Pisgah National Forest, Cradle of Forestry in an America, Whitewater and Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and the French Broad River.</p><p>Polk County ranked 80th in the state, generating $22.6 million — a 4 percent increase from 2011.</p><p>The visitor spending figures come from an annual study commissioned by the Division of Tourism and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association. For more information visit www.nccommerce.com.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>